Ever wanted to learn more about the St. Petersburg Grand Prix? Today, we’re going to be summarizing this famous event held annually in St. Petersburg and how you can watch it!
The 2023 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be the 23rd running of the event since 2005. This race often serves as the season opener for the IndyCar Series, North America’s top open-wheel racing series. Each year, thousands of people flock to the sunny shores of Tampa Bay to take part in this event and other participating experiences. The 1.8 mile street race circuit comprises of 14 turns and multiple roads, including Bay Shore Drive NE and a runway of the Albert Whitted Airport. Overall, the main race will run for 180 miles.
While IndyCar is the main event of the weekend, many other racing series will be participating and hosting their own races on this circuit. These series include the USF2000 series, USF Pro 2000 series, SRO GT America series, Indy NXT series, and Mazda MX-5 Cup series, all of which host races throughout the three-day weekend event.
In addition to the Grand Prix, many other events are put on in Tampa Bay to commemorate the weekend. The 2023 Kart 4 Kids Pro-Am race is a charity event consisting of drivers from IndyCar, IMSA, and other series, in addition to amateur drivers looking to move up in the ranks. This event annually coincides with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend to raise money for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and is sponsored by IndyCar, Firestone, Andersen Racepark, and many others. In addition, Polypack and the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum also sponsor this event. Also happening on Thursday, March 2nd is the Wellcare Ambetter Health 5K walk that takes place on the race circuit!
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is also hosting its own ‘Hoods Up’ weekend during the Grand Prix weekend to give visitors a more detailed look into the engine bays of some of its most notable cars. Included in this car collection is the museum’s 1920s ‘Mimille’ Race Car, which is believed to potentially be a prototype to Harry Miller’s famous front-wheel drive Indy Cars.
To see the 2023 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in-person, visit their official website at gpstpete.com to purchase tickets. To learn more about the 2023 IndyCar season, visit their website at indycar.com. If you cannot attend, NBC and Peacock will be hosting the race via satellite and streaming starting at noon Eastern Time on Sunday, March 5th. To visit the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum for its Hoods Up weekend, you can purchase tickets on their digital store or in-person at the museum.
We look forward to the 2023 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and hope that you are able to attend in-person or watch it at home!